Junior leads list of drivers who need to step up in '10 (cont'd)

2. Brad Keselowski vs. Denny Hamlin: is it just theatre, or is there some serious dislike brewing there?

Duane Cross: Denny doesn't impress me as the theatrical type; he means what he says.

David Caraviello: I think it's dislike. I hope it's dislike. Everybody in this sport is a little too chummy for my taste. All we hear is about how there are no rivals -- well, that's because everybody thinks they're in the same "family." Enough of that. Nothing wrong with two guys wanting to beat each other into the ground.

Dave Rodman: Saturday at Phoenix was priceless, and pure heat-of-the-moment -- 1,000 degrees worth -- emotion. Denny started taking the high road and I was "you go, boy..." Then he dropped the line of the year: "I'll be first in line at the payoff window."

Duane Cross: Everyone has been clamoring for a villain in the sport, and many just slapped that black hat on Kyle Busch. Well, maybe Special K is the one who will wear that black hat.

Dave Rodman: Brad is not a black-hat type guy in general. But in this case, their long-running bad blood involves the wrong two individuals. I can't stop thinking of that classic Jack Nicholson scene from "A few good men," the one about "messing with the wrong Marine" as he was restrained by two hulking MPs.

Budding Rivalry

After Brad Keselowski spun Denny Hamlin at Phoenix, words were exchanged and meetings were held with NASCAR officials.

• Wreck at Phoenix
• Driver reactions
• Keselowski meets with France
• Scuffle in Dover

David Caraviello: I don't remember when it was, but I remember Brad saying several weeks ago -- "this is the kind of stuff that makes this sport fun." He's right. Everybody is too damn nice to each other. There's nothing wrong with athletes not getting along. It happens in every sport. It adds color and tension and drama. Bring it on.

Dave Rodman: As J.D. Gibbs said on Sunday morning, regarding both Denny and Kyle Busch's Saturday post-race displays: it's an emotional sport, and they're emotional, passionate guys. But as far as extreme payback? Neither he nor I see it coming. Now, continued brawls? Definitely. And Brad won't back down an inch and in my opinion, NASCAR will have to park him to make a point.

Duane Cross: The interesting dynamic is that Denny and Kyle are teammates while Brad and Kurt are teammates; let's have a loser-leave-town, hair match with a cage thrown in for good measure. And let's do it in Vegas! C'mon boys, NASCAR needs this type of rivalry; let's not squelch it!

David Caraviello: I will say, we need to cool it on the intimations of payback in Cup races. That's throwing-at-the-batter's-head stuff, and it carries things a little too far. But guys spouting off? Guys honestly not liking each other? Goodness, this sport could use more of that. Everybody makes a lot of money, everybody lives in the same motor coach lot, and everybody gets along too well. To steal the nickname of the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game, how about some "clean, old-fashioned hate?"

Dave Rodman: If you saw the raw video from their confrontation earlier this year at Dover, that was far beyond priceless and proves why these two will never, ever see eye to eye. And you hope they don't continue to involve anyone else in their shenanigans.

David Caraviello: Funny how so much of this stuff stems from Nationwide races, when guys have relatively less at stake. There's too much riding on Sundays, evidently, for drivers to mix it up that much. Maybe a reason why all these Cup guys competing on Saturdays isn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe the Nationwide tour should use a new slogan: "Where the drama is!" Or "We know drama." Wait, I think that's been taken ...

Duane Cross: In regards to on-track retaliation, I'd like to think Denny understands there are limitations. Like he said, he's entered in the Nationwide Series race and glad for it. I doubt these guys' dislike will spill over into the Cup Series. Now, I also know these guys have long memories. We'll see what shakes out at the first short-track stop of the year ...

Dave Rodman: Denny ought to just figure out he needs to chill. On a competitive level, he is so far ahead of Brad it will take him and the Penske group years to catch up, if their first two races are any indication. That being the case, Denny needs to think doubly hard about just staying away from him. For the second time in recent Nationwide memory, for a split second lapse in judgment, he was cost a very good finish.

David Caraviello: Staying away from him? Those two being around one another is a reason to watch Nationwide races these days.

Dave Rodman: Well, I said that's what he ought to consider. The fact that he is too damned stubborn ought to drive a ratings point or three. (Continued)